Written by Rachel Burrows
I’d like to live in a normal house
where it’s easy to see all the floors,
where dinner is put on a table
and it’s safe to open the doors.
But Mum weaves wickerwork sculptures
and Dad mends antique clocks,
my sister makes her own dresses
and Grandad crochets socks.
Grandma makes wine from the hedgerow,
my brother is forming a band,
even the dog collects slippers -
it’s all getting quite out of hand.
There are sticks all over the kitchen,
cogs on every last seat,
pins are lurking in carpets
waiting to jab passing feet.
There are bottles stacked up in the bathroom,
and drumming vibrates through the floor,
hobbies are hanging from every cranny,
you can’t even shut the front door.
But I went to my friend’s house on Tuesday,
it was clean and sparkly inside,
nothing to show what made them all glow -
like their fun had gone somewhere to hide.
So even though I am moaning,
I wouldn’t have anything less.
So that’s why I’ve bought these three chickens,
so I can add to the mess!
.
Rachel Burrows teaches and runs the library in an SEMH school in Wiltshire. Her writing for children can be found in Northern Gravy, The Toy, Tyger Tyger, Little Thoughts Press, and The Dirigible Balloon. She is an Undiscovered Voices 2026 Winner and was shortlisted for the Cheshire Novel Kids Prize 2025 and Write Mentor Picture Book Competition 2023. She has her best ideas whilst walking her dog, Fennel. She is happiest in the sea.